Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-06-19
DAILY HERALD.
NEW OBSERVATORY.
The Best SituatiOn-Rail'
way Improvement.
PINE TOP PEAK SUPERIOR.
Free From Fogs, LOftiest Height
Important Railway Work In
La SOledad.

EnrroRs HERALD: The location Oh
the new Astronomical Observatory, In
the vicinity of Los Angeles, is a very
important matter for careful considera-
t;on and should be considered wi thout
nreiudice or preconceived preferences
a determination to select the site that
combines the greatest advantages
.hould be the rule in selecting loca-
tion for this most important aid to hu-
man knowledge, that is to be erected
mot only for the present generation but
to furnish knowledge and wisdom to the
people of coming centuries.
A very laudable desire has been ex-
pressed to locate this great institution
ON the well-known and romantic VII
.on,s Peak. which combines many ad-
-rsntaoea for astronomical observations,
and Il linked with pleasant memories
81 the brave and valued citizen, now
deceased. who scaled its rocky crest, and
made It accessible to others. -.
Rut the locality is open to the oplec.
tion that it lies directly in the path OF
the ocean mists that float inland IRON
Santa Monica Bay, passing over the
City of Los Angeles, and infringing
directly against the Sierra Madre AZ
wilson's Peak and other peaks from
Precipice canon to the San Gapriei
canon. This can be often seen, and mas
been observed by all who have watched
the movement Of vapor currents IN Los
Angeles county.
Another site is now being considered
about Eve miles north of Maclay College,
IN San Fernando, college that is part
Of the educational scheme with which
the Astronomical Observatory Ia con-
pected. This peak is Familiarity known
~ "Pine Top,d and is loftier than VIII
sons Peak. 1t is easily accessible by q
good wagon road from kent's Station,
on the Southern Pacific Railroad, . road
that was made by Thomas Goss OF Los
Angeles into the heavy timber for the
purpose of obtaining wood for burning
brick. From the wagon road an easy
trail leads up throagh beautiful pine
grove to the top of the mountain, from
which q vast and magnificent view is OBJ
taiued of the ocean, the islands, the city
and nearly all of the settlements In this
part of the country. This peak Is al
most always cloudless and fogs up there
are seldom or never seen. 1t is situatec
out of auy current of vapor from the
ocean, being sixty miles from the ooeaI
in the direction from which the wine
brings the ocean vapor, and over which
distance there is q series Of low noun
tains that prevent a fog current alto
gether, leaving old "Pine Top" clear ant
open to the sun and the stars at nearly
ali times of day or night. tWilson's Peal
is about thirty miles in the vapor line
This mountain can also be ascende'
from the San Fernando side, but tn
task is slow and toilsome. A telephon
could be soon made between the lectur
room of the college and the mountain
top, and materials can easily be con
veyed to the summit from the north side
Probably the great land owners OF Sal
Fernando would gladly contriDut
500. 600 for the purpose OF having thl
valuable institution placed in so favora
BILE a ussition. 1t is understood tina
the donation of Mr.. Spence OF S50, ,oo'
will all be used to get the best oblec
glass obtainable, while at least Sl0O, oO
should be expended on an observator.
and attendants cottages, "come
seeker" spectroscope and all instru
ments needed in calculating transits o
planets. Now let San Fernando an
San Gabriel emulate each other in loer
ality towards the new institution.